How Often- 4x4 and Rear Locker

[ericsmr]

I am not someone who goes off road too often but I do go camping 2 times a year essentially. With that, how often should I be enabling 4x4 and aside from that the rear locker in order to make sure they are maintained? I saw a post saying you need to do it or they will go bad? Any insight on this is appreciated.

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[stuartmunto]

I would say every 3 months should be enough. Just engage 4H and 4L while driving at low speeds in a straight line, also enable the diff locker for a short time to make sure it's still engaging. As long as the speed is low and you don't make any turns, its safe to engage 4H or 4L on tarmac

 

[Onceaneagle]

It would be nice if Ford put 4A on 4x4 Rangers besides Raptor. The unused button is there.

 

[chasc]

It would be nice if Ford put 4A on 4x4 Rangers besides Raptor. The unused button is there.

I've not researched it in depth but I'm pretty sure the Raptor has hardware the non-Raptor doesn't have to support continuously varying engagement of the front axle with a multi-plate clutch (more like my European cars had). Don't believe it's just a software-enabled feature...

 

[bigb]

After having old school straight axle part time 4x4s all my life I have mixed feelings about all this electronically controlled off road stuff but the buyer has no choice if you want a new truck. Future generations won't even have to have any 4x4 knowledge except which button to push. What happens when the electronics fails when you are in BFE?

My truck hasn't been delivered yet but it will be a whole new experience for me and I'm hoping I'll like it, and it will be as good or better off road than my old school stuff, and as dependable.

 

[Sharpix]

It would be nice if Ford put 4A on 4x4 Rangers besides Raptor. The unused button is there.

Its enabled in some markets such as New Zeland, Australia, Uk, Phillipines and Mexico/south America.In fact, i have one with the 4A, living temporarily in Mexico.

Id like to know which are the parameters the ECU uses to enable the front driveline MECHANICALLY.

I also hate the Rear Locker button inside the screen. It should have been enabled using an actuak button near the 4x4 settings.

 

[Satex]

I would say every 3 months should be enough. Just engage 4H and 4L while driving at low speeds in a straight line, also enable the diff locker for a short time to make sure it's still engaging. As long as the speed is low and you don't make any turns, its safe to engage 4H or 4L on tarmac

There's no specific recommendation other than to occasionally engage the components.

Your suggestion, including the frequency and process, is pretty much what I follow during long periods when I don't use 4x4 and related functions.

 

[BriSco]

Its enabled in some markets such as New Zeland, Australia, Uk, Phillipines and Mexico/south America.In fact, i have one with the 4A, living temporarily in Mexico.

Id like to know which are the parameters the ECU uses to enable the front driveline MECHANICALLY.

I also hate the Rear Locker button inside the screen. It should have been enabled using an actuak button near the 4x4 settings.

My '24 XLT has the locker button on the console.

 

[superj]

my locker button is down by the auto start/stop button.

i have always heard to activate it once or twice a year. i have had many many 4x4s, even have three wranglers right now but i never activate the 4x4 on any of them. i guess not never though as i try it out when i get them to make sure it works but i know the wife's 2019 has never been put in 4x4 because she never leaves the street. i imagine it works though

 

[Onceaneagle]

There's no specific recommendation other than to occasionally engage the components.

Your suggestion, including the frequency and process, is pretty much what I follow during long periods when I don't use 4x4 and related functions.

My F150 Lariat 4x4 owner's manual says to use 4A, not 4L or 4H, unless under certain conditions, for all the reasons about turning etc. and potential damage. Now consider that despite those warnings on that truck, Ford puts 4A on the Ranger Raptor while the other Ranger trim levels do not get it, not even the Ranger Lariat. And a Lariat 4x4 is not cheap. Why only the RR? Cost? So Ford engineers put cost ahead of potential damage and even injury as a result? Well, yes, they do, else they would not be leading the manufactures in recalls, some of which have no resolution other than to keep driving and hope it does not happen to you. Not having 4A on all trim levels is just one more thing to remember. And how many owners who have a 4x4 actually engage it and drive it up and down the tarmac in a straight line every three to four months? Show of hands. Maybe Ford needs another idiot light or prompt to tell owners, "Hello! It's once again time to engage the 4 wheel." We sure have a lot of warnings now so what is one more?

 

[Onceaneagle]

My '24 XLT has the locker button on the console.

You also have the drive mode absent 4A, which is on the Ranger Raptor but Ford decided no else really needs.

 

[Satex]

"And how many owners who have a 4x4 actually engage it and drive it up and down the tarmac in a straight line every three to four months? Show of hands."

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[Onceaneagle]

"And how many owners who have a 4x4 actually engage it and drive it up and down the tarmac in a straight line every three to four months? Show of hands."

✋️

 

[JDCV67]

I use 4x4H every winter here in NE Ohio. And I never plow my driveway.

 

[John E Davies]

My truck hasn't been delivered yet but it will be a whole new experience for me and I'm hoping I'll like it, and it will be as good or better off road than my old school stuff, and as dependable.

Don’t count on the dependability…. There are lots of reports of weird drivetrain failures and CELs because of all the interactive software in these trucks, and even rear axle shaft breakage. My RR is a hoot to drive off pavement, and I love it so far, and it’s a way better road tripper than any of my old school trucks, but I have no illusions about its “reliability”.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

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